Star rookie Patrick Vandam of Eagen, Minn, downed 44 tamales in 12 minutes to capture the 2008 World Tamale Eating Championship today in Lewisville, topping the deepest field in the event’s history. Vandam currently is ranked 45th in the world by Major League Eating.

The competition was organized by the Lewisville Convention and Visitors Bureau and held in conjunction with the Western Day festival in Old Town Lewisville. Dallas Tortilla & Tamale Factory in Lewisville donated the tamales for contest.

Tim “Gravy” Brown of Chicago was second with 41 tamales, and Eric “the Red” Denmark of Seattle was third with 34½ tamales. Nate Biller of Wichita Falls was the top Texan finisher, placing fourth with 34 tamales consumed and posting the second-highest total ever recorded by a Texas in a sanctioned event.

The world record of 71 tamales held by Tim “Eater X” Janus of New York City at the 2007 championship was not seriously challenged.

For his efforts, Vandam took home a $1,500 cash prize. Brown won $1,000 for second place, Denmark won $500 for third and Biller won $250 for fourth. Others finishing in the money were 5th place Kevin Ross of Temecula, Calif. ($150), and 6th place Bill Myers of Breinigsville, Penn. ($100).

The IFOCE (also known as Major League Eating) is the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducting more than 70 events annually including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide.

2008 World Tamale Eating Championship – final results

44 Patrick Vandam, Eagan, Minn.
41 Tim Brown, Chicago, Ill.
34.5 Eric “the Red” Denmark, Seattle, Wash.
34 Nate Biller, Briarwood, NY
25.5 Kevin Ross, Temecula, Calif.
24 Bill Myers, Breinigsville, Penn.
23.5 Brent Ricord, Keller, Texas
20 Charles Johnson, Abilene, Texas
19 Frank Wach, Chicago, Ill.
18.5 Nic Fry, Grant Bend, Kan.
15.5 Jim Clawson, Addison, Texas
10.5 David Cagle, Houston, Texas
10.5 Patrick Owen, Corinth, Texas
5 Trey Beauregard, Moore, Okla.
5 David Marston, Frisco, Texas

http://www.competitiveeatingnews.com/newsarchive.php?action=detail&sn=109

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